Which Battery?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 433
Likes: 0
From: Aspenden Hertfordshire U.K.
Which Battery?
HI All
I run a 2001 C5 in the UK, totally stock with only 7K on the clock. It is only a weekend toy so can stand for up to three weeks this time of year.
If I leave for more than two weeks the battery drains, I know this is common on C5s so I am wondering what is the best battery option from your experiences?
I currently run with an Optima Red Top 8002-255 but I think this may be shot now so looking for alternatives, how about the yellow tops are they better for coping with power drain?
As always any and all help appreciated.
Mike.
I run a 2001 C5 in the UK, totally stock with only 7K on the clock. It is only a weekend toy so can stand for up to three weeks this time of year.
If I leave for more than two weeks the battery drains, I know this is common on C5s so I am wondering what is the best battery option from your experiences?
I currently run with an Optima Red Top 8002-255 but I think this may be shot now so looking for alternatives, how about the yellow tops are they better for coping with power drain?
As always any and all help appreciated.
Mike.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 27
From: Magnolia Greens NC
help...
I went to the Yellow Top (from a Red Top) for the very same reason...Yellow Tops' will hang in there longer on a C5... ...if yours sits like mine did for long periods...here is what really solved my problem:
Order a "Battery Butler" from ZIP Parts & Accessories (one of our Forum Vendors) and hook it up...it acts as a trickle charger & will keep that battery at full charge ....costs less than $20 U.S.
Order a "Battery Butler" from ZIP Parts & Accessories (one of our Forum Vendors) and hook it up...it acts as a trickle charger & will keep that battery at full charge ....costs less than $20 U.S.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 433
Likes: 0
From: Aspenden Hertfordshire U.K.
I have tried the trickle charge route as my current charger is fully auto and will act as a trickle if needed, however I find if I connect the charger with battery connected I get a chatter from below the battery probably a relay or something so I normally remove the negative connection before charging.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Well,, truth be told,, I have let my 98 coupe & 02 ZO6 sit in excess of 35 days and the battery STILL CRANKS the car without issue. If you have a fully capable battery that will NOTcrank the engine within a couple week period, you most likely have an excessive current draw issue.
Normal Current Draw is 0.020 AMPS (20 milliamps). Check your current draw and see what it is. Trouble shoot from there.
I refuse to pay RED/YELLOW top prices and just purchase an inexpensive discount store battery ($60 USD) and they work flawlessly.
The service manusl states that "If you have to store the car over an extended period of time, disconnect the battery" It does NOT hurt or damage anything!
BC
BC
Normal Current Draw is 0.020 AMPS (20 milliamps). Check your current draw and see what it is. Trouble shoot from there.
I refuse to pay RED/YELLOW top prices and just purchase an inexpensive discount store battery ($60 USD) and they work flawlessly.
The service manusl states that "If you have to store the car over an extended period of time, disconnect the battery" It does NOT hurt or damage anything!
BC
BC
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,096
Likes: 0
From: Size Does Matter CA
Well,, truth be told,, I have let my 98 coupe & 02 ZO6 sit in excess of 35 days and the battery STILL CRANKS the car without issue. If you have a fully capable battery that will NOTcrank the engine within a couple week period, you most likely have an excessive current draw issue.
Normal Current Draw is 0.020 AMPS (20 milliamps). Check your current draw and see what it is. Trouble shoot from there.
I refuse to pay RED/YELLOW top prices and just purchase an inexpensive discount store battery ($60 USD) and they work flawlessly.
The service manusl states that "If you have to store the car over an extended period of time, disconnect the battery" It does NOT hurt or damage anything!
BC
BC
Normal Current Draw is 0.020 AMPS (20 milliamps). Check your current draw and see what it is. Trouble shoot from there.
I refuse to pay RED/YELLOW top prices and just purchase an inexpensive discount store battery ($60 USD) and they work flawlessly.
The service manusl states that "If you have to store the car over an extended period of time, disconnect the battery" It does NOT hurt or damage anything!
BC
BC
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 433
Likes: 0
From: Aspenden Hertfordshire U.K.
Thanks for the advice, I know there is a drain but have never bothered to trace what it is as most C5 owners over here seem to accept that the C5 is well known for that particular perculiarity, but I will get an auto electrician to have a look as the sparking when I reconnect my terminals seems a bit excessive to me for a 0.020amp drain.
Some good news though, the red top has taken a charge from dead to full in around 8 hours so I hope it will hold, I wont be reconnecting until I need too.
Thanks again for your help
Mike.
Some good news though, the red top has taken a charge from dead to full in around 8 hours so I hope it will hold, I wont be reconnecting until I need too.
Thanks again for your help
Mike.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,246
Likes: 1,093
From: Dyer, IN
Sounds like the battery is already very low, which is when the relays start chattering.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
